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Discovery: The Student Journal Of Dale Bumpers College Of Agricultural, Food And Life Sciences - Volume 25 2024, Several Authors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Contents, Discovery Editors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Thematic Mapping Of Apidae Holdings Within The University Of Arkansas Arthropod Museum, Baylie L. Day, Ashley P.G. Dowling, Austin Jones

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Museum biological collections store species data that can be utilized in research on biodiversity, environmental change, invasive species, public health, and disease. The University of Arkansas Arthropod Museum, which began in 1905, houses over 750,000 specimens and has not yet been digitized. Making data publicly accessible via the internet makes the data available to the entire scientific community. The goal of this project was to create a digital resource to allow greater access to the University of Arkansas Arthropod Museum holdings. To do so, data from Bombus (bumble bee) and Xylocopa (carpenter bee) specimens were entered into a database in …

Increasing Education And Staff Knowledge Of Delirium Care: An Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Project, Serena Martinath

Master's Theses and Capstones

Introduction At a small, community hospital in Massachusetts a gap analysis was conducted leading to a quality improvement project to increase staff education and knowledge regarding delirium and evidence-based best practices for delirium care. Delirium is a growing, often under recognized medical condition that occurs in hospitalized patients (Loftus & Wiesenfeld, 2017). Delirium is characterized by acute changes in congnition, level of consciousness, and attention (Loftus & Wiesenfeld, 2017). A better understanding of this condition is expected to result in improved patient care.

Methods The clinical microsystem studied in this gap analysis project was assessed by using the AHRQ Gap …

Enhancing Chest Pain And Oxygen Supplementation Protocol Adherence Through Nurse Education In The Emergency Department For Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome And Unspecified Chest Pain: A Quality Improvement Project, Leah Gamble

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract Background: Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) and unspecified chest pain are common presentations in the Emergency Department (ED). Proper management, including appropriate oxygen supplementation, is crucial for optimal patient outcomes. However, discrepancies between current practice and evidence-based guidelines have been identified, highlighting a need for targeted educational interventions.

Local Problem: In the ED, knowledge gaps among nurses regarding the correct administration of supplemental oxygen for patients with ACS and unspecified chest pain have been observed. This inconsistency with the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) guidelines may lead to poor patient outcomes.

Methods: The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) …

Using Education To Confidently Identify And Report Concerns Of Child Abuse And Neglect: A Qualitative Improvement Initiative Through Staff Development, Sarah E. Neilson

Master's Theses and Capstones

BACKGROUND: Pre-licensure education on child abuse and neglect is crucial for nurses in the healthcare field. It helps to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively identify, report, and intervene in cases of child abuse and neglect. Having this education available and understanding the signs and effects of child abuse and neglect, empowers nurses to take quick and decisive action in early intervention and prevention. Within the microsystem of a local Operating Room (OR), this quality improvement (QI) project will determine the muchneeded addition to the healthcare curriculum.

METHODS: The Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) framework was …

Improving Postpartum Depression Education Within The Microsystem, Mackenzie A. Sturdevant

Master's Theses and Capstones

BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant mental health issue affecting a substantial percentage of new mothers, ranging from "baby blues" to severe forms like postpartum psychosis. Maternity nurses play a crucial role in early detection and education due to the gap in postpartum care follow-up appointments, which can delay necessary interventions.

LOCAL PROBLEM: Despite the critical role of maternity nurses, there is variability in their preparedness to educate and support patients regarding PPD during the immediate postpartum period. This study aims to enhance maternity nurses' knowledge and confidence in providing PPD education through a quality improvement (QI) project within …

Improving The Postpartum Depression Discharge Education To Increase Quality And Safety Of Care: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Amanda Lucia

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most prevalent psychological condition to affect mothers following childbirth which can have detrimental consequences on the physical and mental health of the mother, child, and spouse (Wang et al., 2021). Globally, postpartum depression affects 17.2% of the world population, and in the United States 1 in 8 women who recently gave birth reported symptoms of PPD, and 1 in 10 women reported experiencing a major depressive episode within a year following delivery (CDC, 2023). Patients’ spouses and family members are in a unique position to identify early manifestations of PPD which can lead to …

Improving Quality Of Documentation In Perianesthesia Care Units To Increase Nurse Satisfaction And Patient Safety: A Quality Improvement Project, Anja Novcic

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

Background: Quality documentation in healthcare settings is essential to ensure nurse satisfaction and patient safety. Documentation templates for patient charting should be in a format that follows best practice nursing care and captures all necessary assessments and interventions ordered by providers for patient care. A quality improvement was conducted in a PACU to evaluate the nurse satisfaction with the use of a new and revised documentation template for pain block procedures.

Local Problem: Within the perianesthesia care unit (PACU) of a Same Day Surgery center, a problem was identified regarding the nurse dissatisfaction with the template in place for …

Acuity-Based Models Of Care: Improving Wait Times And Efficiency In An Outpatient Infusion Center, Jordan Lavallee

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Timeliness is a crucial aspect of high-quality care, yet remains a common issue faced by many outpatient infusion settings leading to patient dissatisfaction and potential negative outcomes.

Local Problem: At a 28-chair community infusion center, results from patient satisfaction surveys as well as chart audits highlighted suboptimal wait times and efficiency. 32% of patients were dissatisfied with wait times ranging from 23 to 40 minutes based on the therapy received.

Methods: A quality improvement project was conducted aiming to decrease the average wait time of patients receiving short therapies while increasing patient satisfaction. After a thorough review of the …

Enhancing Communication Efficiency In An Emergency Department By Employing A Visual Communication System For Lab Results Tracking: A Quality Improvement Project, Julie Burr

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abstract

Background: A Critical Access Hospital in New England faces communication challenges in its Emergency Department, impacting patient flow and safety. The current paper charting system leads to delays and inefficiencies.

Local Problem: The communication gap between ordering laboratory tests and providers reviewing results at the patient’s bedside averages 130 minutes, contributing to delays and potential patient safety issues.

Methods: Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act model, a visual communication system was implemented. Laminated labels indicating pending lab, CT, and radiology reports were affixed to patient folders. Data was collected pre- and post-intervention to measure time from lab order to provider review.

Interventions: …

Improve Dysphagia Screening In Patients With Neurological Conditions Through Education: A Quality Improvement Project, Kendra Mcintosh

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: A macrosystem in Southern Massachusetts faces challenges in patients with neurological conditions recieveing a dysphagia screening prior to anything enter the patients mouth in the Emergency Room.

Local Problem: The educational gap identified in Registered Nurses regarding the frequency of screening being completed and the knowledge of the indications for a dysphagia screening.

Methods: Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act model, an educational intervention was implemented. An educational poster was displayed in the microsystem. Data was collected pre-and post-intervention through a survey to measure change.

Interventions: The educational poster was displayed in high-traffic areas of the microsystem. This educational poster included …

Re-Educating Proper Blood Culture Collection With Emphasis On Initial Blood Waste To Decrease Contamination Rates: A Quality Improvement Project, Samantha A. Dickinson

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: A critical access hospital in New England experienced an increase in blood culture contamination rates within the Emergency Department (ED). There was a disconnect between the current standardized collection protocol within the ED and the action of staff collecting which has led to an increase of blood contamination (BCC) rates.

Local Problem: The disconnect between the current collection standard and staff collecting caused the Emergency Department to rise above 3.0% in blood cultures contaminations. This rise in contamination rates contributes to longer patients stays and unnecessary treatments.

Methods: Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act model, an educational flyer was implemented to remind …

Using Education To Improve Glycemic Management Within An Emergency Department, Rebecca Olson

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) frequently visit acute care facilities for a variety of reasons. Proper management of this comorbidity increases patient safety, satisfaction, and quality care. Patients with persistent dysglycemic events in acute care facilities have an increased risk of complications and death during their stay. Lack of education can contribute to gaps in proper management within this population and therefore must be improved for better patient outcomes.

Methods: The Plan-Do-Check-Act design from the A3 Problem Solving model was used to guide a quality improvement project which focused on improving staff education and confidence surrounding glycemic management. The …

Increasing Patient Awareness About Fall Risk Through Patient Education Pamphlets On A Medical-Surgical Floor: A Quality Improvement Project, Nicole Madden

Master's Theses and Capstones

Introduction At a nonprofit hospital located in New Hampshire, a thorough 5P Assessment was executed to identify the root cause behind an increase in falls occurring on a medical-surgical floor. Subsequently, a comprehensive quality improvement initiative was launched with the dual goals of minimizing falls and enhancing patients' awareness regarding their susceptibility to experiencing a fall during their length of stay. Patient falls are the most common adverse events reported in hospitals and are considered a sentinel event (LeLaurin & Shorr, 2019). Hospitals need to adopt a multifaceted approach to minimize the risk of patients experiencing falls during their inpatient …

Promoting Inpatient Mobility To Improve Patient Outcomes: A Quality Improvement Project In A Rural Critical Access Hospital, Chantal Laplante

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Although beneficial to patient outcomes, inpatient ambulation is not a prioritized care intervention, and a task often deferred to physical therapy. Patient immobility is a complex problem that requires a multifaceted approach.

Local Problem: In a rural, critical access hospital, on an 18-bed medical surgical unit, nursing staff lacked ownership of patient mobility. There was no standardized process to document ambulation and mobility tasks were not scheduled, falling to the end of the nursing work list. Many patients did not have activity orders upon admission and nurses lacked resources for ambulation assessment and daily goal setting. There was no …

Examining Relationships Between Methane Emissions And Aquatic Vegetation In Arctic Lakes Using Remote Sensing Techniques And Field Measurements, Helen B. Sears

Master's Theses and Capstones

Lake ecosystems are significant contributors to atmospheric methane (CH4) budget. Aquatic vegetation provides inputs to lake sediments of carbon that then influence the production and emission rates of CH4 from those sediments. Understanding the spatial variability and seasonal changes in the distribution of aquatic plants and CH4 emissions can help identify potential feedback with climate warming. Stordalen Mire, located in the discontinuous permafrost zone in Northern Sweden, is an ideal area to study the relationship of vegetation cover to CH4 emissions from lakes in the Mire, because there are extensive datasets relating to both these parameters for this location. Still, …

Implementing Of An Informative Poster To Improve Nurse Job Satisfaction In A Medical Surgical Microsystem: A Quality Improvement Project, Stephanie E. Mahoney

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Nurse job satisfaction is important since the quality of patient care directly depends on the staff and their willingness to continue working. Traditional approaches used in yearly surveys may cover only some aspects that upset nurses, such as workload and training. This project was designed to overcome these limitations by presenting a more extensive and often-used procedure to assess and solve issues regarding the satisfaction level of registered nurses.

Method: In the quality improvement project, data on job satisfaction using the Acute Care Nurses Job Satisfaction Scale (ACNJSS) was collected on job interest, colleague support, recognition, workload, …

Beyond Discrimination: Market Humiliation And Private Law, Hila Keren

University of Colorado Law Review

Market humiliation is a corrosive relational process to which the law repeatedly fails to respond due to the law’s heavy reliance on the discrimination paradigm. In this process, providers of market resources, from housing and work to goods and services, use their powers to reject or mistreat other market users due to their identities. They thus cause users severe harm and deprive them of dignified participation in the marketplace. The problem has recently reached a peak. The discussion in 303 Creative v. Elenis indicates that the Supreme Court might legitimize market humiliation by granting private providers broad free speech exemptions …

Immigration Detention Abolition And The Violence Of Digital Cages, Sarah Sherman-Stokes

University of Colorado Law Review

The United States has a long history of pernicious immigration enforcement and surveillance. Today, in addition to more than 34,000 people held in immigration detention, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shackles and surveils an astounding 376,000 people under its “Alternatives to Detention” (“ATD”) program. The number of people subjected to this surveillance has grown dramatically in the last two decades, from just about 1,700 in 2005. ICE’s rapidly expanding Alternatives to Detention program is a “digital cage,” consisting of GPS-outfitted ankle shackles and invasive phone and location tracking. Government officials and some immigrant advocates have characterized these digital cages as …

Union Autonomy And Federal Intrusion, Hannah Borowski

University of Colorado Law Review

Union autonomy, a critical aspect of the health and growth of unions and employee power broadly, is weakened by (1) the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) attempts to target organized crime through civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) litigation against unions and (2) the creation of federal trusteeships in settlement, both of which can be analyzed through litigation between the DOJ and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (Teamsters or IBT) at the end of the 20th century. The field of compliance offers a solution to prevent these breaches of union autonomy. Relying on the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and the …

Federal Indian Law As Method, Matthew L.M. Fletcher

University of Colorado Law Review

No abstract provided.

Facts On Trial: Alliance For Hippocratic Medicine V. Fda And The Battle Over Mailed Medication Abortion, Rachel Rebouché .

University of Colorado Law Review

No abstract provided.

Carbon Pricing For A Just Transition, Jeff Todd

University of Colorado Law Review

The legal tools to avoid the potential disasters of climate change are already available, at least according to economists. Economists overwhelmingly prefer carbon pricing tools like carbon taxes and cap-and-trade programs to combat climate change and guide the energy transition. Carbon pricing is more cost effective at lowering carbon and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) than other legal options such as efficiency standards, renewable portfolio standards, subsidies, and tax credits and deductions. Unlike those other options, carbon pricing targets both the supply of and the demand for GHG-emitting products and services; moreover, it gives firms and consumers flexibility in how best …

Estate To State: Pay-To-Stay Statutes And The Problematic Seizure Of Inherited Property, Brittany L. Deitch

University of Colorado Law Review

Pay-to-stay statutes allow states to recover their incarceration-related expenditures from those who are currently or have formerly been incarcerated. Mass incarceration is expensive, and states have aimed to shift this financial burden from their taxpayers and government coffers to the individuals who experience incarceration. Although pay-to-stay laws take many forms, in general, they authorize the government to seek recompense for an individual’s incarceration costs from the currently or formerly incarcerated person’s assets and income. Many states permit the seizure of inherited property to satisfy this legal financial obligation. Pay-to-stay laws have survived constitutional challenges thus far, but some state legislatures …

Adoption As Substitute For Abortion?, Malinda L. Seymore

University of Colorado Law Review

In Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Justice Samuel Alito relied on adoption as part of the justification for holding that abortion is not constitutionally protected. First, he said, “[s]tates have increasingly adopted ‘safe haven’ laws, which generally allow women to drop off babies anonymously.” Second, “a woman who puts her newborn up for adoption today has little reason to fear that the baby will not find a suitable home.” Using adoption as an adequate substitute for abortion is a long-standing strategy for the antiabortion movement, but it is often embraced by pro-choice advocates as well. This position is supportable …

Lexisnexis’S Contract With Ice As Unjust Enrichment, Lizzie Bird

University of Colorado Law Review

For $22.1 million, LexisNexis is currently helping Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) surveil, detain, and deport noncitizens. Like other data brokers, LexisNexis’s role in the collection and sale of personal information has largely been ignored by regulators, judges, and the public. A recent lawsuit against LexisNexis in Illinois includes, among other claims, a claim of unjust enrichment. This often misunderstood and unpopular claim has a complex history which presents both a barrier to relief and an opportunity for advocates to push courts to clarify the doctrine. This Note examines the history of the theory of unjust enrichment, surveys its recent …

Who Bears The Burden When Prison Guards Rape?, Meredith B. Esser

Scholarly Works

Several recent scandals have highlighted the continued problem of institutional sexual abuse within the federal Bureau of Prisons ("BOP"). Most notoriously, the rampant sexual abuse of women incarcerated at Federal Correctional Institution ("FCI") Dublin, also known as the "rape club," resulted in the prosecution and conviction of several high-ranking officials within FCI Dublin, including both the former Warden and former Chaplain who worked there for several years. In response to these patterns of misconduct, the Federal Sentencing Commission's new guidelines, which went into effect on November 1, 2023, now allow for victims of custodial sexual assault to apply for early …

Technology Competence As A Compass For Helping To Close The Justice Gap, Drew Simshaw

Scholarly Works

No abstract provided.

Building Resilience: The Role Of Public Private Partnerships In Disaster Management For Vulnerable Communities, Latisha Nixon-Jones

Scholarly Works

This essay provides a compelling historical analysis of the legislative developments that have shaped the current framework of disaster management in the United States. By tracing the evolution of these laws, it highlights a crucial shift in disaster responsibility—from centralized government agencies to a shared burden with the communities they aim to protect. In response to this shift, I propose that disaster management agencies adopt a socio-legal framework designed to guide the formation of public- private partnerships (PPPs). Such a framework would offer a structured approach to balancing transparency with the profitability goals that often characterize private involvement in public …